A cellulose-based temperature sensitivity molecular imprinted hydrogel for specific recognition and enrichment of paclitaxel

Abstract A microcrystalline cellulose-based temperature sensitivity paclitaxel molecular imprinted hydrogel (MCC-TSMIHs-PTX) was successfully prepared by temperature-sensitive monomer N-isopropylacrylamide, functional monomer 4-vinylpyridine, cross-linking agent N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide and microcrystalline cellulose. They showed imprinting effective responses to the temperature changes. The results of adsorption kinetics, adsorption equilibrium, thermodynamics, selectivity and reusability showed the successful formation of a grafting thermosensitivity hydrogel with higher adsorption capacity and specific recognition. When the temperature reached 308 K, imprinting effect of hydrogel cavities would be most effective and conducive to capture template molecules. When the temperature reached 288 K, the lowest imprinting effect would facilitate the desorption of PTX. Finally, the MCC-TSMIHs-PTX was applied to enrich the paclitaxel in Taxus × media extracts samples, the relative contents of PTX in the samples were increased greatly from 7.23% to 78.32%, indicating the MCC-TSMIHs-PTX was a stable adsorption capacity for efficient separation and enrichment of PTX in Taxus × media extracts.